The Equalizer

"Got a problem? Odds Against you? Call the Equalizer".

The Equalizer was first broadcast on the CBS between 1985 and 1989. The series starred english actor Edward Woodward as Robert McCall a former operative in an organisation called "The Company", which as veryone knows in TV code for the CIA. McCall is seeking to make amends for his evil deeds of the past by offering his talents as a protector, and investigator to those in need. but who cannot necessarlily pay.  His clients find him through a newspaper ad - "Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer." He gets the name The Equalizer in the pilot episode , when a former colleague gives him the nickname, the colleague is played by veteran comedian Jerry Stiller (father of Ben Stiller).

McCall never charges for his services but in the age old "Godfather" way would call in favours from past clients from previous episodes to help with his current job. His signature line is the somewhat sinister "I will agree to help you, but one day I will call on you for your assistance, and you can not refuse me."

McCall, The Equalizer can also draw on the help of underworld contacts built up during his days as a spy. He works almost exclusively in New York and seeks to extact justice on rapists, racisits, drug dealers and other bullies and bad guys.

McCall is divorced, and due to his previous occupation is not close to his son, Scott  played in the series by William Zabka best known for his role in Karate Kid. Over the course of the series Scott comes back into McCalls life and gets drawn into his dangerous world much to the dismay of both his mother and father.

McCall also often performs contracts for "Control" (played by Robert Lansing), the head of "The Company".  In later episodes, Richard Jordan joined the cast as fellow "Equalizer" Harley Gage. Robert Mitchum also filled in for Woodward for a time. McCall was also aided by Mickey Kostmayer (Keith Szarabajka), who was lent to him by Control. There were a large number of cameo and occasional appearances by other known stars but as a general rule those seeking help from The Equalizer were unknowns.

McCall's car, as befits an english actor, was a British Racing Green 1984 Jaguar XJ6 Series III.

The show was well known for it's guest stars, many of whom became major stars within a few years of their appearances. on The Equalizer Eight-year-old Macaulay Culkin appeared in one episode as a kidnap victim. Christian Slater appeared as a high school student in the episode "Joyride". Kevin Spacey played a corrupt police officer. John Goodman played a single father who was tricked by co-worker Joe Morton into taking part in a robbery. Stewart Copeland (The Police), who composed the show's theme song, made a cameo as a pickpocket. Vincent D'Onofrio (Law & Order Criminal Intent) appeared twice in the series -- the first time as an arsonist, and the second time as a mentally  ill young man. Adam Ant played a villain in an episode that also featured David Alan Grier, Lori Petty, and Luis Guzman. Bradley Whitford (West Wing) appeared as a young thug who harassed McCall and his son while they were on a fishing trip.

Other notable guests who appeared on The Equalizer are Laurence Fishburne, Patricia Clarkson, Jennifer Grey, Laurie Metcalf, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Roma Maffia, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Moriarty, Chris Cooper, Michael Rooker, David Strathairn, Charles S. Dutton, Cynthia Nixon, Laura San Giacomo, Kasi Lemmons, Ving Rhames, Amanda Plummer, Jon Polito, Jasmine Guy, Mark Linn-Baker, Tony Shalhoub, and Stanley Tucci.
The series also made good use of its New York City setting by employing actors who were appearing on Broadway iand good friends and fellow  actors who had previously worked with Edward Woodward in the late 1980s these included Terrence Mann, Frances Ruffelle, Kevin Conway, J. Smith-Cameron, Philip Bosco, Caitlin Clarke, Josef Sommer, Jim Dale, Christine Baranski, and Anne Twomey.Brian Bedford, Tammy Grimes, Gwen Verdon, Sandy Dennis, Jenny Agutter, Shirley Knight, Sylvia Sidney, Roy Dotrice, and Woodward's wife, Dotrice's daughter Michele.